Joe Carey
Question:321. Deputy Joe Carey asked the Minister for Transport if he will report on efforts to develop a recovery plan for the aviation industry; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [18669/21]
View answerWednesday, 21 April 2021
Questions (321)
Written answers
The Government is fully alert to the devastating impact of the global pandemic on international travel and values the critical role that aviation plays in the Irish economy. It is expected that it may be some time before it is possible to permit a large-scale return to air travel, but we remain committed to ensuring that the aviation sector can maintain the necessary core capability to retain strategic connectivity, and to quickly rebound when circumstances allow.
Getting international travel back up and running is vital for the continued economic well-being of the country and remains a priority for the Government; however, this can only be done by taking public health considerations into account, and at a time that is safe to do so.
On 5 March 2021, I chaired a special meeting of the Steering Committee of the National Civil Aviation Development Forum. The NCADF, which was established through a recommendation of the National Aviation Policy in 2016, brings together senior stakeholders in the aviation industry, mostly at chief executive level. The meeting provided an opportunity for very constructive engagement with members of the Committee, together with some other senior leaders from Irish aviation. It is clear from my engagement with the aviation sector that the priority issue for all those involved in the industry is for planning to progress, as a matter of urgency, on the reopening of international travel as soon as circumstances allow.
A sub-group of the NCADF, specifically tasked with developing an Aviation Restart Plan at the meeting on 5 March, recently submitted a report with proposals that they believe will best provide for the restart and recovery of the aviation sector in Ireland. I will review their report and its proposals carefully and engage with the Department of Health and any other relevant Departments.
We look forward to progressing our engagement with the aviation sector and to working together to get international connectivity back on a strong footing, once public health conditions allow.
Question Nos. 322 to 324, inclusive, answered with Question No. 296.